Avalokitesvara Crossing a Lotus Pond

CHINA; Ming dynasty

In this Ming dynasty painting, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva is portrayed as a scholarly figure walking on water. The inscription on the right states that this image was painted in 1626, and names the artist as “Seng Mi,” a style name of Shao Mi. The Bodhisattva smiles slightly, has a thin mustache and beard, and wears a shawl draped over the head. The staff held in the right hand has a miniature figure standing on its curved top.
Fine brushwork is used to paint the face and hands of the Bodhisattva, while the robe is depicted with thicker lines. The folds and creases in the robe are illustrated with alternating dark and light ink strokes, while the lotus flowers in the lower left corner are painted with the splashed ink technique. The painting is an interesting departure from the more common depictions of Avalokitesvara as a female figure wearing a headdress.